ABC Family is once again counting down to Christmas with 36 days of family-friendly programming which includes original Christmas-themed movies and a host of holiday favorites.  As a mom, I look forward to this time of year and the festive programming offered as a way to spend some time together as a family creating memories and reliving moments from my own childhood.  Through November 30th, ABC Family is counting down to the 25 Days of Christmas, which will begin December 1st and run through the 25th.  Programming will be featured on air and online, with an entire site dedicated to the 25 Days of Christmas.

Some of the highlights of this year’s program line-up include the premiere of original films like Desperately Seeking Santa and 12 Dates of Christmas, and family favorites like Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, A Very Pink Christmas, Disney-Pixar’s Up, and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.

Beginning December 1st, you can enter ABC Family’s 25 Days of Christmas Sweepstakes where the grand prize is $25,000.

Be sure to visit the website for holiday e-cards you can send to family and friends, custom videos, sneak peeks, recipes, music, games, coupons, and more.  You can also download an app for the latest schedule!

For programming information and more, visit the website or keep up to date on Facebook/Twitter.

No compensation was received for this post. Information and a gift were provided by ABC Family but all opinions expressed above are solely that of the author.

If you want early access to Walmart’s Black Friday ad (I know I do!), simply “like” Walmart on Facebook or sign up via email by November 7th.  This ensures you’ll be one of the first to preview their Black Friday ad.  My shopping list this year consists primarily of electronics and toys so I’m hoping for some great deals on those items.

Stay tuned!  I’ll have more to share about Walmart’s Black Friday sales including my tips on making it through one of the biggest shopping days of the year.

Disclosure: I participate in the Walmart Moms program and am compensated for my time and honest opinions.

Committed to offering it’s customers the lowest prices throughout the season, Walmart has just started it’s highly competitive Christmas Price Guarantee.  If you find a product you’ve purchased at Walmart advertised at a lower price at a competitor’s store, Walmart will provide a gift card for the difference.  Here are some important points to remember about Walmart’s Christmas Price Guarantee:

1.  Christmas Price Guarantee applies to merchandise including toys, electronics, home goods, etc. but does not apply to food or grocery items

2.  The product must be identical in brand, size, color, quantity, model number, etc. and must be in stock.

3.  Customers should bring in both the current ad and their receipt to the Walmart Customer Service Desk through December 25th.  Photocopies of the ad won’t be accepted.

4.  Items placed on layaway are eligible.

5.  Christmas Price Guarantee does not cover competitors’ online prices.

4.  Christmas Price Guarantee does not cover competitors’ Black Friday ads, however, their Ad-Match policy will be in effect.

This season, shop with confidence, knowing that you’ll be getting the lowest prices on all of your holiday gifts at Walmart.

Disclosure: I participate in the Walmart Moms program and am compensated for my time and honest opinions.

This holiday season, you might consider utilizing Walmart’s Layaway program for purchases that include toys, electronics, and jewelry.  This week, I went into the store to walk you through the process:

To sum it, here are the points you need to remember for this year’s Christmas Layaway program at Walmart:

1. Layaway is available at the Walmart.com Services Desk

2. Items eligible for layaway include Toys, Electronics, and Jewelry

3. Each item must be $15 or more and the minimum purchase must be $50

4. To place an item on layaway, all that is required is a $5 service charge and 10% down

5.  Payments can be made at any Walmart register

6.  Items must be paid for in full and picked up by December 16th

7.  Items not paid for or picked up by December 16th will be cancelled

8.  Cancelled items will be refunded minus the $5 service charge plus a $10 cancellation fee

For more information, visit your local Walmart store.

Disclosure: I participate in the Walmart Moms program and am compensated for my time and honest opinions.

On December 25th, ABC-TV will air the 27th annual holiday special, Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade. Ryan Seacreset will host at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Nick Cannon will host at the Disneyland Resort in California what promises to be the year’s “magical, musical, coast-to-coast entertainment extravaganza.”  Musical guests Mariah Carey, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Selena Gomez, and more will sing and entertain you while your favorite Disney characters march and dance throughout the Disney Parks.  I can’t wait to open presents and watch the parade for the first time with our kids!

Here are the scheduled broadcast times:

Eastern Time Noon-2pm

Central time 11AM-1PM

Mountain Time 10AM-Noon

Pacific Time 5PM-7PM

Los Angeles (KABC) 9AM-11AM

Today, Disney Online launched a site dedicated to everything you need and want to know about the Christmas Day Parade.  The site features the following:

Behind-the-scene video segments with Selena Gomez and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

Video interview with Debby Ryan and Santa Paws, Mariah Carey and an exclusive with Ryan Seacrest on Dec. 21!

Performance video of Selena Gomez

Performance video of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, singing a song from their holiday album, “Phineas & Ferb: Holiday Favorites”

Special Disney movie trailers

Holiday gift guide featuring the hottest Disney movies, music, video games, books, toys, and more!

Recipes, crafts and activities from Disney Family.com

Be sure to check out the exclusive interview with Ryan Seacrest on December 21st!

Win It! To celebrate, one of you will win all seven of the Disney movies featured in their holiday gift guide. Simply leave me a comment with your favorite item from the gift guide (other than the movies).  Comments will close on December 24th, 2010 at 11:59 PM PST.  US Residents only.  Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one. Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest.

Like me on Facebook

Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.

Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments!

Giveaway items supplied by the company.

Yesterday, I participated in an online chat with several noteworthy bloggers to discuss gifts that inspire. Along with some great ideas for friends and family, I thought a bit more about what I would like this year.  I’d rather have experiences than “stuff.”  Staycations, trips to an amusement park, and a visit to a spa were some of the ideas I offered.

If you’re struggling with gift ideas, I highly recommend choosing a gift card.  I absolutely love receiving gift cards because I can choose my gift (or experience).  Gift cards offer flexibility and this year, American Express is adding a little holiday cheer to gift cards purchased through February 1, 2011.

American Express recently launched Season of Surprises.  Everyone who receives an American Express Gift Card can log onto their site to see if they’ve won one of 2,000 $25 gift cards or one of 10 $10,000 prizes.  By entering your card number, you are also entered to win the grand prize of $100,000.

Gift cards still remain a popular gift item according to a recent study by American Express.  American Express gift cards are available in $25-$500 denominations, have no fees after purchase (activation, checking a balance, monthly servicing, card replacement) and the funds on the card never expire.  American Express will replace lost or stolen gift cards for free.  American Express gift cards can be used at U.S. retailers and restaurants that accept American Express Cards and are available for purchase online and at over 70,000 retail outlets. For more information about American Express gift cards, just visit their website.

WIN IT!!! TEN of you will win a $25 American Express gift card.  But wait…there’s more!   Next week, TEN more of you will win a $25 American Express gift card so be sure to stop by next Friday.  To enter, simply leave a comment stating why a friend or family member deserves the Season of Surprises this holiday season and a chance to win $100,000.   Please note, this giveaway will only last one week.  Comments will close on December 10, 2010 at 11:59 PM PST.  US Residents only.  Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one. Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest.

Like me on Facebook

Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.

Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments!

No compensation was received for this post.   Giveaway items supplied by the company.

I’m partial to the German toy company that values creative play and ensures the highest standards of quality and safety.  This season, Playmobil offers five advent calendars to help families anticipate the countdown to Christmas.  Unlike traditional calendars that house a chocolate for each day leading up to the 25th, Playmobil’s advent calendars reveal a new way to play each day.   Featuring a themed backdrop, figures, and accessories, on the 25th, your child will have a complete Playmobil play set. Here is the Christmas in the Forest calendar we received:

Last year, we counted down to Christmas with the a Playmobil Advent Calendar and I had to put the calendar up high enough for my son not to climb to get to it.  He was so excited about opening each little box that he wanted all of the toys at the same time.  This year, he’s a little more patient.  But just a little!  Once December 25th comes around, instead of a sweet tooth, my son will have a set he can play with beyond Christmas.

A note to parents, try to allow 15  minutes or so to set up the calendar.  I think it’s more fun if your children don’t see the toys you put inside each box.  I would also caution that some of the parts are small and would not likely be appropriate for children under 3.

Playmobil offers 5 advent calendars: Pony Ranch, Dragon’s Land, Unicorn In Fairy World, Christmas In The Forest, and Police.  They’re available for $18.99 online and at select retailers nationwide.

No compensation was received for this post. A product sample was provided to facilitate this review.

The entire resort is adorned with lights, ornaments, wreaths, trees, and more.   Some of the most popular attractions undergo a holiday transition, including it’s a small world and Haunted Mansion.

Fun Fact: There are 300,000 glittering lights on the facade!

Fun Fact:  The gingerbread house in the Mansion’s Great Hall is made of real gingerbread and icing and each year, an original design is created for Haunted Mansion Holiday.

Be sure to head over to Big Thunder Ranch, which has been transformed into Santa’s Reindeer Round-Up.  Take a picture with Santa, Mrs Claus, and your favorite Disney Characters, color and create a cowboy-inspired gift, and see real, live reindeer.

As my son gets older, he is particularly drawn to the parades at Disneyland. A Christmas Fantasy parade is a tradition at the resort and brings a host of Disney characters together to celebrate the joy of the season.  Watch as they wrap presents, bake holiday treats and prepare for the arrival of Santa Claus.  As any 3 year old boy would do, my son yelled out to Buzz and Woody…”To Infinity…and Beyond!”

You can’t miss the Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle upon entering the park, which is decorated with traditional snowdrifts and icicles.  But…you must catch a glimpse of it’s beauty at night.  Once it gets dark, you’ll witness a sensational holiday lighting and special effects show which carries the magic of the holidays from the castle all the way to the Christmas tree in Town Square.  Something I didn’t know about the castle is that the presentation actually unfolds in three acts, with each featuring a touch of snow on Main Street.  Believe…in Holiday Magic Fireworks show is the finale with an array of seasonal sights and sounds.  The show ends with “White Christmas” and snowfall on Main Street, it’s a small world Mall, and New Orleans Square.  It was so beautiful and magical…right behind us, a couple got engaged…

If you’ve never stopped at Blue Ribbon Bakery for a latte and a sweet, you’re missing out!  Some of the resort’s holiday treats include Snowman Shortbread, Snowflake Crispies, Mint Chocolate Cupcakes, and their new Holiday Beignets (which are only available at Café Orleans).

If you’re planning to visit the park from out of town, be sure to check out the resort’s Guided Tours.  The Holiday Time at Disneyland Tour provides entry into “it’s a small world” Holiday and Haunted Mansion Holiday, reserved seating for the Disneyland “A Christmas Fantasy” parade, a keepsake remembrance, and entertaining information about the history behind Disneyland holiday traditions.

For more information about The Merriest Place on Earth, check out both the resort’s website and the Disney Parks Blog.

No compensation was received for this post. Our family was provided tickets to experience the magic at Disneyland.

Photo Credit:  Disneyland, Disney Parks Blog, and Rockin’ Mama.  All rights reserved.

This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by.  The winners are Paul A (Radio City) and JW (Madison Square Garden). Congrats!

I had my list of must sees and dos in New York.  I also factored in that we would only do about half of what we aspired to because of the kids.  So what’s a girl to do when she gets invited to tour Radio City Music Hall and see the Rockettes live on 6th Avenue?  She changes her plans!

I never thought I’d make it to Radio City Music Hall this trip.  With so much to see and do and two little ones who need rest breaks, it seemed impossible.  But I have always wanted to see the Rockettes…and not just from a television broadcasting from Rockefeller Plaza.  So we headed over to Radio City Music Hall and began with a tour or the venue which is the home of the Rockettes.

I learned a few things along the way…like the fact that Radio City Music Hall is the largest indoor theatre in the world…and that the Radio City Christmas Spectacular began in 1933.

If you’re not familiar with the show, here is a brief description:

The Radio City Christmas Spectacular includes the world-famous Radio City Rockettes, a cast and crew of hundreds, an awe-inspiring Living Nativity with live animals, and magnificent special effects including a surprising indoor snowfall, fireworks, and Santa flying high above the audience. From dazzling kick lines and sparkling fireworks to Santa flying and a special 3-D surprise, the Christmas Spectacular is the perfect way to bring holiday cheer to your family.

As part of the show’s kick-off, Radio City will donate thousands of tickets to the Garden of Dreams Foundation at 1 million kicks.  All across the country Americans are “kicking” up their heels online (you can tweet using the hashtag #kick4christmas) or in person.  The Garden of Dreams Foundation provides children from local charities the opportunity to see the Christmas Spectacular.

Tickets for the Christmas Spectacular are on sale now with performances beginning November 5.

Check out some footage from the event.  Do you recognize a familiar face?

Win It! Since we don’t live in New York City, I have two VIP tickets to tour Radio City and two VIP tickets to tour Madison Square Garden (I’ll pick two winners).  Simply leave me a comment about the show. Have you seen it?  Do you want to? Why?  If you have a preference, just leave that info in the comments as well.  Comments will close on September 2, 2010 at 11:59 PM PST.

Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one.

Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest.

Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.

Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments!

No compensation was received for this post. I was invited to attend the event, courtesy of the company.